DCF’s Division of Children's System of Care, CSOC, (formerly the Division of Child Behavioral Health Services) serves children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral health care challenges and their families; and children with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their families. CSOC is committed to providing these services based on the needs of the child and family in a family-centered, community-based environment.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH UNDER AGE 21

The Children's System of Care offers a wide range of services for children up to age 21 for behavioral health or developmental disability needs. These services include community-based services, in-home services, out-of-home residential services, and family support services. For questions about or to access behavioral health or developmental disability services for children and youth, call the 24-hour, toll-free Access Line at:

1-877-652-7624

ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION FOR CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

As of January 1, 2013, the New Jersey Department of Children and Families - Division of Children’s System of Care (CSOC) assumed responsibility for determining eligibility for developmental disability services of children under age 18. This eligibility process for children, which was formerly completed by the Division of Developmental Disabilities, is required under New Jersey law in order to access publicly available developmental disability services. For information on the application process please call:

1-877-652-7624

Additional information and the eligibility application can be found at the . Eligibility for individuals under 18, including life-long planning after age 18, is provided by the Department of Human Services' Division of Developmental Disabilities. More information on this can be found at the Division of Develomental Disabilities Website or by calling 1-800-832-9173.Perform Care Website

For information on the application process for children under age 18 or to request developmental disability services for a child under age 21 who has already been determined eligible to receive developmental disability services please call PerformCare,the entity contractedto administer the service systemat 1-877-652-7624 or visit the PerformCare website.

Determinations of eligibility for individuals age 18 and older for developmental disability services are made by DDD. For information on DDD’s application process for children age 18 and older or to request services for an individual over age 21 who has already been determined DDD eligible please call DDD at 1-800-832-9173 or visittheDDD website. Please be advised that CSOC will honor eligibility determinations made by DDD for individuals between 18-21.

CSOC currently has a moratorium on certifying new agencies, medical/mental health practices, or individuals seeking to become enrolled as providers of Intensive In-Community (IIC)/Behavioral Assistance (BA) mental health rehabilitative services. Please check this site periodically for any updates on the moratorium.

DCF has been working through CSOC and the Division of Child Protection and Permanency' (formerly DYFS) Child Health Program to strengthen our policy affecting youth who receive psychotropic medication.

Please note: DCF is currently working on implementation and planning issues around authorized prescribers of psychotropic medications (please refer to policy) for youth in out of home care. At this time, DCF has not implemented this aspect of the policy. We will work closely with providers and our DCF Psychotropic Advisory Committee as we move forward with implementation steps. If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact the DCF Office of Child and Family Health at: dcfochs@dcf.state.nj.us

This guide from the National Resource Center for Youth Development — written specifically for youth in foster care with input from youth and professionals — looks at ways to handle powerful feelings and behaviors and make healthy choices.